Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"A surprise?" Theo glanced at Xander, confused.

Trent chuckled as they walked closer to the stable.

"Close your eyes"

"What? This feels---"

"I know... Just do it, Man"

"Both of us?" Xander asked,

"Just the dude that got shot" Trent chuckled, "You needed a vacation, no?"

"Oh"

"Alright..." Theo closed his eyes, holding Xander's shoulders as they walked

"This better be good. My sister pulled a surprise prank on me last year and---"

"Open up" Trent interrupted as they stood outside the stable.

"What is the---" Theo's eyes widened as he saw the car.

"H–Holy..."

"How'd you like that?"

"Fuck..." His eyes drifted from the car to Trent

"T–That's the---"

"The Rolls Royce Phantom Serenity 1 of 1" Trent mused,

Theo tightened his grip on Xander's shoulder.

"Oh Stars..."

Xander chuckled, releasing his shoulder.

When did he even have time to prepare this gift?

"You bought it for the 5 mil???" He glanced at Trent as he walked towards the car.

"I got it— that's all that matters, isn't it?" Trent chuckled, walking behind him.

"It looks beautiful— congratulations, Man" Xander laughed softly as he walked towards them.

Theo rolled his hands and bowed,

"My thanks to his Excellency, Greatest Captain in the universe, Lord Ackerman"

"Keep your flattering to yourself..." Trent scoffed, "you'll have to work your ass off and this is just a payment for the troubles to come"

Xander chuckled, touching the car as he reached where it was.

"Want to take it for a spin?"

"Hell yeah" Theo scoffed, taking the key from where they'd placed it— top of the car.

"Now you've got enough to be the great uncle— never forget my grace, Man" Trent chuckled,

Theo looked at him and curtsied this time,

"It will be a disgrace to the Stars and my Ancestors that I forget your grace, mi Lord"

Xander burst into laughter,

"That's cringe as fuck"

"Yeah?" Trent laughed turning to him, "Now he knows to acknowledge me and swears by the stars?"

"I've always acknowledged you, Boss— That you were a wealthy thigh I needed to hug"

They laughed together as Theo opened the car door.

"Wait..." He reached for something in the driver's seat— an envelope.

"What's that?" Trent looked at him.

He'd have dashed for it, but it shouldn't be anything related to Lumina— they wouldn't be that stupid.

"It's... the car papers" Theo muttered pulling the papers out slowly.

"We have to change those and put your name and it's all done"

"Yeah..." He arranged them back.

"Thank you very much for this, Man"

"Yeah..." Trent scoffed, "Thank you for working with me, Man"

He looked at Xander who was scanning the car,

"You too, Man... You've been of the most help and you deserve more than a vacation"

Xander turned to him, chuckling with a slight bow of head,

"It's being great working for you, Sir— I'll take care of that issue and move further with the company"

"Issue?" Theo raised his brow, surprised.

"Felix Umber— he's been attacking my companies and reputation through some other companies he supports"

"That bastard..." Theo growled,

"You know him?" Xander asked,

Oh. He didn't know

"He... was a superior" Theo lowered his head, "really nasty bastard"

Trent looked at Xander, watching how he'd react to what Theo said.

If he was curious at the start, he must've used Musk to check for his background, no?

Xander's jaws tightened— not suspicion, that was anger.

"Don't worry about it too much" Trent sighed, "Continue with what we planned. How's talks with the SEC going for listing?"

"Ah. They've been giving us a tough time with regulations, maybe they're trying to push us down?"

"I'll take care of it. Don't worry and just continue with what you're doing"

"Yeah..." Xander muttered,

"The mood's getting ruined" Theo huffed, placing half his body into the car.

"Let's go for a spin"

Trent looked at his phone as it rang— Anton.

"You two go for a spin— I've got a take this"

"Alright... Let's go for a spin, Xan. We have almost the whole area outside, no?"

"I'll show you"

Trent glanced at them as he answered the call and walked away a bit.

"Hello, Chief..."

"Hello, Mr. Twerp... You really are forgetful for such a genius— it's Anton or just call me Dad"

"Dad?" Trent scoffed,

"Well..." Anton paused for a bit,

"Nevermind. Just call me Anton, Twerp"

"Just call me Trent, then"

"Nah... I'll pass. I still can't believe the TWERP that always ran to me for protection is such an asshole now. Perhaps I should call you CRYBABY"

"Perhaps I should call you Diamond Man" Trent chuckled.

Speaking of Diamond Man.

Does he know that Wanda's alive, or was it hidden from him?

"I spoilt you" Anton huffed,

"Perhaps so"

Anton exhaled and paused for a bit,

"I've called the heads of the branches being underfunded. The ones I could reach"

"Yeah? The good ones?"

"I can assure you— they're cool. I wouldn't make friend with people I find suspicious"

"Any with previous ties to Newton?"

"None. Trust me, Twerp..."

"Alright— I do. Could you set a meeting?"

"I invited them over for talks— Didn't tell them what was happening. They'll be here tomorrow morning"

"Can they just leave their bases and come because you invited them? Shouldn't they be above---"

"They owe me favors. Now you do. So tell me, what's this meeting about?"

Trent stayed quiet for a few seconds and sighed,

"I'm thinking of funding those branches— it's not something illegal, is it?"

"...It's not. Why would you want to fund them though, I appreciate that you're helping your branch, but you've never been one to do charity work"

"Perhaps I just don't like the bullshit that's going on and how trash like Umber goes around because they donate some chump change"

Anton thought silently for a while,

"I see that you're being blasted by the media recently... Can I help?"

"No" Trent sighed,

"It's Felix Umber— I'm going to sort him out myself"

"The Umber bastard again, huh? You sure you've got this?"

"Yeah. I'll be there with you tomorrow for the meeting"

"Alright. Take care of yourself, TRENT" Anton chuckled,

"And greet the Wildling for me" he laughed, hanging up.

Trent stared at his phone for a while.

Felix Umber wants to bring me down?

Me?

His eyes trailed to the house and the open field.

I've acquired all these— a house, cars, wealth, fame, status and power... In less than a year.

And some no good bastard wants to bring me down?

He scoffed.

Like I'd let that work in any lifetime.

Hmmm...

Should I proceed to buy some more things.

He swiped and dialed Mikhail.

"Hello, Trent" Mikhail's voice cut through, "It's been a while, how's everything going?"

"I'm good. How's everything going, Man?"

"Everything's going well. What's up?"

"Is Kimberly there with you?"

"...Yeah, She's in the kitchen. Should I pass her the phone?"

"I just wanted to see if she can help me acquire a property. It's a big one so she might have to go through some stress"

"A big one?" Mikhail muttered,

"Honey!!!" He called out.

"What's going on?" Kimberly answered after a while walking towards him.

"It's Trent. He wants your help acquiring a property" he replied, passing the phone.

"Oh"

"Hey, Trent. How's everything going?" Kimberly spoke as she collected the phone.

"Everything's alright. How's everything been with you?"

"Great" she chuckled, "Which kind of property do you want to acquire? I can help with anything"

"...An Island"

"What?" Her voice hitched,

"Sorry... An Island?"

"Yeah. One that's perfect for a vacation in a place with good weather conditions. Can you get that? I'll pay whatever commission you ask"

"Well..." She thought for a while,

"I can. It's going to take a while, but I certainly can get you something like that"

"That'll be really appreciated. Just find one and tell me the amount"

"Alright... I'll start working on it. And I'll give you the best"

"Thank you"

She giggled, passing the phone to Mikhail.

"Did I hear an Island?" Mikhail mused, "You know, we've got a new batch of vintage cars..."

This business man.

"I'll drop by the shop soon" Trent laughed softly,

"Alright... Have a nice day, Man. And tell Assoff that I'm sorry I couldn't get him the car"

"Oh. You don't have to worry about that" Trent chuckled, "I got it for him, he's out testing it right now"

"What?" Mikhail gasped,

"I'll see you soon, Man"

"Y–Yeah... Laters, Man"

Trent looked up as he cut the call— he'd walked back to the front of the house while on call.

His heart fluttered as he saw Marie's car driving in.

Don't act weird, Trent...

34 points in Intelligence means you've got this.

He gulped as she came out of her car.

"What's up?" She waved,

"Was that Theo and Xander?" She pointed towards the gate

"I think I just saw them"

"Y

eah. They're out testing the Car"

"Your car?"

"Theo's"

"Oh"

They turned towards the gate as another car drove in.

"Who's that? You got a guest?"

"No" he replied, brows raising

They watched as the car parked and the driver walked around to open the door.

What?

Why was he here?